As a parent to three Foreign Service Kids, I feel like I constantly have an on-going debate in my head and I wonder... Are my kids missing out by living abroad? Now, logically I know all of the advantages this lifestyle affords our kids, but emotionally—I’m always torn.

Did I ever tell you about the time my dad visited just before we departed for Moscow? Long story short, he was worried that our kids would be deprived of consuming Happy Meals like normal American kids so he left us with $300 and instructions to take the kids to a fast food restaurant every week and to make sure they ate a Happy-Meal-equivalent at each place. So, to Wendy’s, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, and Chick-Fil-A we went!

That was just one of the times where it sorta hit me that the kids might grow up a bit out of touch with American culture.

Another time was when we returned to the States for the first time in two years. The kids were 6, 5, and 3 and I was looking at the menu at the McDonald’s drive through. I said to myself, but out loud, “Oh, they have Smurfs here!” That’s when our three littles started yelling excitedly “I want to eat a Smurf! Me too! Can I please order a Smurf? I’ve never had one.” I was like, “What are you Gargamel? Smurfs are not to eat!” And then when I showed them the little blue figurines, they were perplexed on why anyone would ever want one. Oh well.

Anyway, these are just some silly examples of why I sometimes question if we are ruining the kids with our choice of a Foreign Service lifestyle.

And, it got me thinking. What do our kids miss out on? Foreign Service kids don’t have a local library or Barnes & Noble that they can walk into and sign up for a Summer Reading Program! When I realized this, I was mildly horrified. A bit dramatic, I know, but am I the only one who LOVED turning in my summer reading slip and choosing a toy from the toy-chest?

The good news is, I realized that this is a problem that I can solve!

So, I present to you the Foreign Service Kids Summer Reading Program! It’s very easy. Read 8 books between now and August 31st and I’ll pop a free book in the mail for you! Your kids can choose from an assortment of fun and engaging U.S. History themed books. How simple is that? It’s so simple that I actually can’t believe no one has thought of it yet!

So use the red button below to help your kids sign up. There, you’ll also find a printable to help your kids keep track of the books they’ve read! I suggest you go RIGHT NOW so that you don’t get sidetracked and put it off until mid-July!!

I have an almost-kindergartener (age 5 in July), so what history books are best for his age? Thank you!

Reply

U.S. History Abroad

6/7/2018 03:09:47 am

I love this age! There are some Level 2 Step Into Reading Books, like The Statue of Liberty (link below) that a kindergartener may be able to read on their own. If they are too difficult, they would CERTAINLY enjoy listening! https://amzn.to/2LqmB51

Reply

Tiffany

6/7/2018 03:55:05 am

Thank you! Right after I asked, I got the confirmation email where there were already suggestions for books. I added this to the list. Thanks again!